I95 South to 4?

[dawnball]

I was typing up directions and stop notes for our trip and I noticed that the official DIS route from I95 is to take I4 west to 192. That's what I'm getting from online mapping sources as well. However - I remember I4 as a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad road. We haven't driven on that part of I4 though (we used to come down 75 instead). Is it really that bad? Is there a better alternate route? We're staying off property at Windsor Hills if that's relevant, but it looks much the same as staying on property on our maps.

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
We did the drive last year (I-95 to I-4 route). If I recall correctly, the first 1/2 hour or so onto I-4 was smooth sailing (we did notice strong police enforcment during this portion).

As we got closer to the theme park areas, heavier and fast moving traffic as well as the ever present construction made it tricky at times.
The changing of traffic patterns due to construction made people get a little too close for comfort.
And of course, everyone's in a hurry

 

[seashoreCM]

If you insist, you can go around the horn (counterclockwise around the east side of Orlando). I-95 to I-4 to 417 before Orlando. Takes you right to Disney. I'm not sure what the tolls are (none if you stay on I-4 all the way)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Chrisypoo]

I've taken the 95 to 4 route the past two times we drove down---once in April and once the day after Christmas. It was very congested when you got closer to town, but I didn't think it was that bad. Kind of like rush hour traffic only this moved a bit better.

 

[hobogary]

There is a toll road that you pick up before Orlando and takes you to WDW. The Central FL Greenway, I think. It was a few bucks in tolls if i remember corectly. I'm sure someone has more info. I 4 thru Orlando is usually hectic.

 

[Selket]

Does anyone else have experience with taking this toll road rather than I-4 through Orlando? We'd probably be driving it on a weekend afternoon.

 

[ducklite]

I-4 through Orlando, and then down near the parks is my definition of hell on earth. The stretch from exit 82 to the turnpike is trecherous regardless of the time of day or night! And then from the Beachline to 535--just shoot me.

The Greenway--417 is a pleasant road, and mid afternoon you'll be lucky to see another car LOL! It is a few miles out of the way, but if you do'nt know the area, it's probably well worth it.

Fortunately I'm able to avoid I-4 most of the time. Now they are talking about widening it to twelve lanes, and expecting the construction to take 20 years!

Anne

 

[Selket]

Anne - so we catch 417 north of Orlando at exit 101 right? Is 417 a road with traffic lights? I'm guessing not - I don't mind going a few miles out of my way to avoid traffic.

We've often hit a lot of traffic going I-4 - we're used to it cause we live near Washington DC so we sit in traffic everytime we pull out of the driveway but I hate getting that close to WDW and having to sit there! LOL!

 

[Mark P.]

Fortunately I'm able to avoid I-4 most of the time. Now they are talking about widening it to twelve lanes, and expecting the construction to take 20 years!

Never ending, is it?

One of those wierd things I think about every time I drive on and around I-4 is that I wonder how many construction / road workers overall can say thier entire carreer has steady work, and mostly based around one area?
(Not so good for tourists, but Good for them!)

 

[ducklite]

Anne - so we catch 417 north of Orlando at exit 101 right? Is 417 a road with traffic lights? I'm guessing not - I don't mind going a few miles out of my way to avoid traffic.

We've often hit a lot of traffic going I-4 - we're used to it cause we live near Washington DC so we sit in traffic everytime we pull out of the driveway but I hate getting that close to WDW and having to sit there! LOL!

I'm not sure the exact exit number, but that sounds about right. It's pretty well marked. The Greenway (417) is a divided limited access toll highway. No traffic light, but there are toll booths, so have some change and dollar bills.

Anne

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I just realized I made a mistake in my earlier post--I meant the stetch between exit 82 and the East-West, not the turnpike, although pretty much from 82 to the Tpke is terrible.

Anne

 

[dgaston]

The tolls from the Sanford airport on 417 to the Osceola Parkway exit (excellent for WDW and 192 area) were about $4.50. There were a couple of $.50 cent tolls and a $2.00 right near the airport. The ones near MCO are a $ each and then $.50 at Osceola, I think.

 

[ducklite]

There's a web site (I'm too lazy to look it up right now, but google central Florida greenway 417 and you'll find it) that lists all the tolls.

Anne